Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, July 7, 2011
Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, July 7, 2011
By Captain Tom Van Horn
Upcoming Seminars and Events
Saturday, August 13th Introduction to Fly Fishing
10:00 - 12 Noon, Free Introduction to Fly Fishing Class instructed by FFF Certified Instructor and veteran Mosquito lagoon Fishing Guide Captain Chris Myers. Located in the Outback section of Mosquito Creek Outdoor, 170 South Washington Ave. Apopka Florida www.mosquitocreek.com
Saturday, August 20th Snook Fishing
10: 00 - 12:00 Snook Fishing Tactics "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Snook Fishing Tactics ", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida,
As mentioned in my last report, my adventures this past week carried me off on the trip of a lifetime as I was invited by Pure Fishing and Penn Reels on a five day journey to Bimini to test out Penn's new Squall and Fathom reels. The journey began with seven boats departing the Harbor Town Marina at Port Everglades on a 50 mile run to the Bimini Sands Resort around 2 pm Sunday.
The media event was orginized by Captain George Poveromo (World of Saltwater Fishing TV Show) and Hunter Cole (Pure Fishing) with the goal to introduce Penn's new Squall and Fathom Reels. Our focus was to fish hard and put these new reels to the test, and that exactly what we did.
Besides Captain George, the armada of other notable Captains included Harry Vernon of Captain Harry's, Ron Crowder, Bouncer Smith, Albert Castro and Carl Grassi.
Fishing with New 2012 Penn Reel For Yellowfin tuna Off the Bahamas
New Penn Reels Fathom and Squall Part 1 Fathom.mov
New Penn Reels Fathom and Squall Part 2 Squall
During our three days of fishing, we targeted yellowfin tuna in the Toung of the Ocean about 20 miles north of Great Isaac Cay which was a good 40 mile run to the north out of Bimini, and reef fish in various locations both north and south of Bimini. Besides catching a boatload of tuna, we caught a number of reef species like yellowtail snapper and grouper and some pelagic species like very big kingfish (over 50 pounds) and a sailfish caught by Jeff Weakly.
Penn's New Reels
Penn's New Reels
On our last day, we combined two crews and piled into Captain Harry's 39 foot Contender and set course for the 40 mile run north in search of tuna. Again we quickly located the school and stayed with them for the next 4 hours. Altogether we caught over 20 fish, and I landed my best fish, (70 pound yellowfin) on a Fathom 25 setup. All and all, we put Penn's new reels to the test without a single failure, quite impressive.
In closing, I would like to thank the fine folks at Pure Fishing and Penn reels for inviting my on the excellent adventure, and on Monday it's off to Las Vegas for the 54th ICAST Convention.
The July Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando is available online so visit:
For all of your outdoor adventure equipment needs, visit Mosquito Creek Outdoors at www.mosquitocreek.com.
Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast
July 2011
By Captain Tom Van Horn
Upcoming Seminars and Events
Saturday, August 13th Introduction to Fly Fishing
10:00 - 12 Noon, Free Introduction to Fly Fishing Class instructed by FFF Certified Instructor and veteran Mosquito lagoon Fishing Guide Captain Chris Myers. Located in the Outback section of Mosquito Creek Outdoor, 170 South Washington Ave. Apopka Florida www.mosquitocreek.com
Saturday, August 20th Snook Fishing
10: 00 - 12:00 Snook Fishing Tactics "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Snook Fishing Tactics ", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
July's Fishing Outlook
First and foremost, happy Fourth of July, and thank you to all who are currently serving, have served or have paid the ultimate sacrifice allowing us the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.
Next, my apologies for this late forecast. I typically try to publish this forecast before the first of the month, but I have a real good excuse, I had gone fishing. Not just any fishing, but the trip of a lifetime. You see, I was invited by the fine folks of Pure Fishing on a four day preview of their new Penn Fathom and Squall reels. Now you're thinking how can this be the trip of a lifetime? Well, did I forget to mention we were putting these new reels to the test off of the coast of Bimini, catching monster yellow fin tuna and an assortment of other reef fish on light tackle. For three solid days seven boats of anglers put these new reels to the test without a single failure, quite impressive, and oh yes, great fun. My best fish was a 70 pound plus yellow fin caught on a Fathom 30 conventional reel which is equivalent to 30 pound class tackle.
Summer has officially arrived on the Space Coast of Florida, and the mid summer doldrums are currently amongst us. It's also the time of year when tropical weather systems and offshore water temperatures are unpredictable. Just when you think you've got the fishing figured out, a summer squall (tropical system) will blow in and kick up the seas, or the cold water Labrador Current will chill bottom water temperatures and shut down the seaward bite. Setting all these possibilities aside, many opportunities for angling adventures exist for us both inside and outside on the lagoon coast in July.
Near-shore, kingfish will be the staple on the reefs and wrecks in 70 to 90 feet of water, with a mixed bag of three, wahoo, dolphin, and an occasional sailfish, thrown in. My preferred method for targeting these species is slow trolling live bait (pogies) on steel stinger rigs in the areas of the Chris Benson, 8A, and Pelican Flats reefs.
On the Port Canaveral buoy line and along the beaches when the water is clean, an assorted beach bag is available with smoker kings (large king mackerel), silver kings (tarpon), sharks, and colossal jacks (school buses) all available at any given time. To target these species, focus your attention in areas of bait concentrations. This past week, pods of large tarpon and sharks were located between Patrick AFB and Satellite Beach. As the month progresses, these fish should begin moving north along the beach to their favorite summertime haunt in the forbidden zone off the bight of the Kennedy Space Center.
In the Port and inlets, Spanish mackerel, summer flounder and mangrove snapper number should remain steady. To target the flounder and snapper, try using DOA Shrimp or Gulp Shrimp on a ¼ to ½ ounce jig head in the areas of structure and along sandy drop-offs. For flounder or snapper cast the jig as close to the structure as possible without getting snagged, and let it sink to the bottom. Once it's reached the bottom, slowly drag it back letting it rest every foot or so. When jigging for Spanish mackerel or other toothy critters, use the same jigs, but retrieve it quickly to avoid getting cut off by not allowing the fish to strike the line.
Inshore, July is one of the best times of the year to catch redfish in shallow water. Schools have already started forming up, and the sight of a feeding school of redfish is incredible. Once you've finished drooling over redfish, look for snook, and top water snapper along mangrove edges, and juvenile tarpon in the creeks, canals and backwaters. In deeper water, look for ladyfish and small trout to be shadowing schools of bay anchovies (glass minnows) under clouds of feeding terns. These feeding frenzies are great fun, especially when fly fishing using a top water popping bug. Additionally, Calm conditions are ideal for paddlers wishing to venture back into the No-Motor Zone, where tailing redfish make great targets for both fly and spin anglers.
Remember, as the water levels increase, dissolved oxygen levels decrease, so it is important to step up your tackle and line size to facilitate a shorter battle, and to revive your catch completely before release.
For up to date fishing forecast by all Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando captains visit:
As always, if you have any questions or need help, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
(407) 416-1187 on the water
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Mosquito Creek Outdoors Angler Improvement Clinics
2011 Clinic Schedule
Become a better angler by learning from the pros.
Veteran lagoon fishing guides Captains Chris Myers and Tom Van Horn will provide instruction on the skills and techniques necessary to become a more successful angler through free seminars, provided as a service to you by Mosquito Creek Outdoors and Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando. Would you like to learn what it takes to be a successful Angler? Here is your chance and all it will cost you is your time.
Saturday, August 13th Introduction to Fly Fishing
10:00 - 12 Noon, Free Introduction to Fly Fishing Class instructed by FFF Certified Instructor and veteran Mosquito lagoon Fishing Guide Captain Chris Myers. Located in the Outback section of Mosquito Creek Outdoor, 170 South Washington Ave. Apopka Florida www.mosquitocreek.com
Saturday, August 20th Snook Fishing
10: 00 - 12:00 Snook Fishing Tactics "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Snook Fishing Tactics ", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Saturday, September 3rd Fishing the Mullet Run
10: 00 - 12:00 "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Preparing for the Fall Mullet Run", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Saturday, September 10th Introduction to Fly Fishing
10:00 - 12 Noon, Free Introduction to Fly Fishing Class instructed by FFF Certified Instructor and veteran Mosquito lagoon Fishing Guide Captain Chris Myers. Located in the Outback section of Mosquito Creek Outdoor, 170 South Washington Ave. Apopka Florida www.mosquitocreek.com
Saturday, October 22nd Fall Lagoon Tactics
10: 00 - 12:00 Fall Lagoon Fishing Tactics "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Fall Tactics for Redfish and Sea Trout", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Saturday, November 5th, Flounder and Pompano
10: 00 - 12:00 Flounder and Pompano "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers, "Fall Tactics for Flounder and Pompano", located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Saturday, November 12th Introduction to Fly Fishing
10:00 - 12 Noon, Free Introduction to Fly Fishing Class instructed by FFF Certified Instructor and veteran Mosquito lagoon Fishing Guide Captain Chris Myers. Located in the Outback section of Mosquito Creek Outdoor, 170 South Washington Ave. Apopka Florida www.mosquitocreek.com
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